Liverpool complete ?5m Klavan signing
Liverpool have completed the signing of defender Ragnar Klavan from Augsburg, the Premier League club have confirmed.
Klavan, 30, arrived in Merseyside on Tuesday for a medical before the centre-back put pen to paper on his Liverpool contract on Wednesday.
Sources have told ESPN FC that the club will pay €5 million plus add-ons deal for the player, who adds some much-needed cover for Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
“I’m really honoured to be part of this amazing club, this amazing team,” Klavan told the club’s official website.
“It’s hard to put it into words, because it’s been a dream of mine for 22 years to come to the Premier League and be a part of this amazing club, Liverpool.
“The Premier League is the most attractive league in the world and you always have amazing players here. This is the home of football.”
Ragnar is a Red! :red_circle: #KlavanToTheKophttps://t.co/mTuyh4kuY4
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 20, 2016
He added on Augsburg’s official website: “I had a great time at Augsburg, but I can now fulfil one of my childhood dreams with a move to England. I would like to thank those in charge at Augsburg that they enable me to do it.
“We got a first impression of Anfield Road when we played Liverpool with Augsburg in the Europa League in February. I am delighted that I can experience this on a regular basis now.”
Stefan Reuter, Augsburg sporting executive: “We knew of Ragnar’s dream to be the first [sic!] Estonian in Premier League for years. When the door opened for him to play at a club like Liverpool, we together worked on a solution.
“We would like to thank Ragnar for his commitment and only wish him the very best for his new challenge.”
Ragnar #Klavan has completed a move to @LFC for an undisclosed fee. More information to follow shortly… #FCA pic.twitter.com/SDPvCWmaYX
– FC Augsburg English (@FCA_World) July 20, 2016
Liverpool will be without Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez at the start of the Premier League season due to injury, meaning Dejan Lovren and fellow new recruit Joel Matip are currently the only recognised central defenders available.
He made more than 100 appearances for Augsburg after joining them in 2012 and his experience is seen as ideal to replace Kolo Toure, who left Anfield this summer after his contract expired.
